ROSWELL, N.M. (AP) A New Mexico man has been convicted of racketeering and conspiracy for his role in an interstate methamphetamine trafficking ring. The Alamogordo Daily News reports that a Chaves County jury found Matias Loza guilty last week for working with AZ Boys' a criminal syndicate authorities say brought large amounts of methamphetamine from Phoenix to Otero County.
The 33-year-old Loza was then sentenced to nine years in prison for second-degree felony racketeering and three years for third-degree conspiracy to commit racketeering. Loza's trial was moved to Roswell because of pretrial publicity.
Loza also is charged with one count of first-degree felony murder and second-degree felony conspiracy to commit murder in the 2011 death of 31-year-old Richard Valdez. He has pleaded not guilty.
